# Effects of Comorbid Disease Improvement on Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) and Oral Leukoplakia (OL) Lesions: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

## TL;DR

This study shows that improving comorbid diseases can lead to significant improvement in oral lichen planus and leukoplakia lesions.

## Contribution

The study is the first to investigate the longitudinal effects of comorbid disease improvement on oral potentially malignant disorders.

## Key findings

- HPV infection, iron deficiency, diabetes, and thyroid disorders are risk factors for OLP and OL.
- Improvement in comorbid diseases leads to significant improvement in OLP and OL lesions.
- Long-term follow-up of comorbid diseases can result in lesion improvement.

## Abstract

Background: Previous attempts to treat oral potentially malignant disorders OPMDs) effectively have failed. Longitudinal studies investigating the effects of comorbid diseases improvement on OPMDs are not yet available. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of comorbid disease improvement on OPMDs healing, both in oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral leukoplakia (OL) patients. Methods: The data from 197 consecutive patients (144 females and 53 males, age ± SD: 55.19 ± 12.37 years, with ages ranging from 23 to 91 years), with oral lesions considered OLP and OL, were processed and evaluated. The frequency of comorbid diseases and the presence of HPV (here, subtypes were not evaluated) in the lesions in OLP and OL patient groups were evaluated and compared to the results of controls (n = 139). Risk models for OLP and OL lesions were established. High-risk models for erosive–atrophic OLP and non-homogeneous OLP were also described. The influence of comorbid disease improvement was also evaluated. Lesions were scored at the first and last visit (full recovery = 0, improvement = 1, and no improvement = 2). Results: One hundred and ninety-seven patients (144 OLP + 53 OL) were followed up for an average of 47.66 months (min–max: 1–203 months, SD: 54.19). Based on the established models, HPV infection, iron deficiency, diabetes, and thyroid function disorders seem to act as risk factors for OLP and may also affect OL formation. The improvement in comorbid diseases can cause significant improvement in OLP and OL lesions. Conclusions: By meticulous follow-up of comorbid diseases, improvement in OLP and OL lesions can be achieved.